The Saint Patrick High School English curriculum is designed to prepare students for future academic work in high school and college and for success in their chosen careers. Most importantly, English classes will help students experience, understand, and appreciate the role played by language, literature, and research in all aspects of life.

In striving to realize these goals, the English Department offers an integrated and comprehensive program. During the freshman year, students are trained in computer word processing and research skills that they will often be required to use throughout their high school years in nearly every subject. Literature, writing skills, grammar usage, and vocabulary development receive emphasis at every level throughout the required four-year English program.

Today’s world is dependent upon the rapid, visual transmitting of ideas. The study of visual/oral communications teaches the student how he can use the tools and skills of the artist/designer to express himself in a clear and intelligent way. During the process of learning, an appreciation of the arts is developed.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

One credit in Fine Arts is required, usually 318 Fine Arts and another half credit Fine Art course. Band, Chorus, Percussion, and Theatre classes can be substituted with approval from the Assistant Principal of Curriculum and Instruction based upon the fulfillment of the course prerequisites.

The general aim of the mathematics curriculum is to provide each student with the opportunity to acquire and develop mathematical skills commensurate with his ability. These include basic areas necessary for everyday life in our modern society and topics which are fundamental for studies in a wide variety of disciplines at the college level and in other technical areas. The courses cover the traditional areas of high school Algebra and Geometry as well as advanced topics from a modern viewpoint. Both traditional and modern teaching techniques are employed. In an effort to keep abreast of modern technologies, the use of calculators is required and the study of computer science is encouraged.

Physical Education is more than a body-building program of activities for the purpose of healthful living or for the development and maintenance of physical fitness. It is also more than just the teaching of physical skills or the playing games for recreation purposes. Physical Education is a method of education; it is a way of teaching students through experiences gained by participation in motor activities.

NOTE: All Physical Education courses include students of all academic abilities. The grades given in Physical Education freshman and sophomore year are included in the student’s grade point average. Junior and senior year are not.

In order to contribute its part to scientific education, the Saint Patrick High School Science Department offers its students a varied program of studies. Science courses not only prepare the student for college studies in science but also build skills for non-scientific areas such as pre-law and business. Besides teaching the subject matter of a science, science courses present challenging learning experiences which are designed to improve reading, writing, communication, and analytical thinking skills. Skills learned in science courses increase a student’s chances of success in all areas of college study.

The Social Studies Department objectives are:

• To convey to the student an understanding of man’s role in society in its cultural, historical, political, psychological, geographical, sociological and economical dimensions;
• To stimulate (by teaching and example) an adherence to Christian values which convey to the student the balance and judgment necessary for human interaction;
• To foster the development of clear writing, critical thinking and analytical reading skills in students, in order that they might discover causative relationships;
• To promote in the student a sense of social justice and to develop in him a sense of his responsibilities as a citizen of a democratic society.

The Theology Department challenges the student to acquire an intellectual understanding of Catholic teachings and of his Lasallian heritage and to put this understanding into practice. The student is urged to embrace his faith in a living and loving relationship with God and neighbor. Catholic and non-Catholic students are required to complete the Theology curriculum.

CAMPUS MINISTRY

YEARLY SERVICE REQUIREMENT

Students at Saint Patrick High School are required to participate in the Christian Service Program as part of the school’s Lasallian Catholic identity. The program itself is based on having experiences of doing Christian service, rather than on students logging a set number of hours. Students are required to complete a number of experiences each year, based on their grade level and involvement in the school. 

FRESHMAN YEAR:  One (1) experience per semester in the community, including the Freshman Day of Service at the beginning of the school year. 

SOPHOMORE YEAR:  Two (2) experiences per semester in the community. 

JUNIOR AND SENIOR YEARS:  Students in a sport, Lasallian Youth, theatre, and/or club who complete a service project with that organization only need to complete one (1) for the academic year. Students who are not involved in one of those organizations will need to complete one (1) experience per semester. Students will reflect

RETREAT PROGRAM

Students have many opportunities for spiritual growth. Once such way is through the Retreat Program. Freshmen participate in a half-day on-campus retreat while sophomores participate in a one- day, on-campus retreat facilitated by a retreat director, faculty, and peers. Juniors engage in an overnight retreat experience at La Salle Manor in Plano, Illinois. The retreat for senior year is Kairos which is an intense, four-day experience in faith that takes place at Saint Benedict’s Abbey in Benet Lake, Wisconsin. All retreats have a thematic approach ranging from self-discovery to building up the kingdom of God.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

The primary objective of the World Language Department is to provide an opportunity for students to become actively involved in learning a language. This is accomplished not only in the ordinary language classroom activities but also by the use of other suitable means such as language newspapers, magazines, word games for vocabulary building, and through an emphasis on the cultural aspects of the heritage of the peoples whose languages are being studied.

The World Language Department offers a four-year sequence in French, Mandarin and Spanish. Placement into language classes is dependent upon the results of the incoming Placement Test (as a freshman) and upon the individual’s preference for a particular language as long as there are available seats. Continued study in the second year requires a minimum of a C in each semester. Students who do not satisfy this requirement are encouraged to pursue one of the other languages.

All students are strongly encouraged to enroll in the same language for at least two years. Furthermore, those students who plan to continue their education in a college or university should seriously consider enrolling in a single language for four years since many institutions of higher learning now accept this four-year study at the high school level as satisfying their own language graduation requirements. In general, the more competitive the college or university, the more advantageous is language study. Students are urged to consult the college catalog of their choice well in advance of matriculation at the college.

The DeLaSalle as well as the Honors language courses will prepare students to enroll in the Honors third- and fourth year foreign language courses. Students who speak Spanish already are encouraged to sign up for either French or Mandarin Chinese.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

Students are required to take two years of the same world language. Students who take Language Arts I and II are exempt from this requirement, but they may be invited to take a world language during their academic studies.